Autumn in the Garden, post- harvest debris

Sweet corn stalks are bulky and can remain a dilemma for many when it comes to disposal and clean up once the year’s harvest has been completed.

Rather than put into a compost pile, I cut the stalks into small pieces and bury the remains into a trench adjacent to the row so that they compost in-situ over winter.

A Niwashi knife makes an excellent job of cutting the stalks into smaller pieces.

Having a good biologically rich soil makes for an easy way to dispose of leaves and stalks and come spring I find there is very little residue remaining and plant onion seeds in early spring over the top of the trench where th corn resides where buried.

Photo shows the stalks prior to cutting

Trench covered over and with enough soil depth to plant a ‘top’ crop in spring.

Corn leaves and stalks placed into trench ready to cover

Earth Zing is a useful addition to the trench prior to coverage and this product assists the breakdown of the corn residue.

About 'Mr Bokashi'

'Mr Bokashi' (Neville Burt) is the driving force behind the growth and popularity of ZingBokashi products in New Zealand. Neville is regarded in NZ and internationally as an expert in recycling organic waste and this passion for a clean, green environment which he developed at an early age and when studying Earth Sciences at University continues to drive him to improve NZ today through organic recycling with ZingBokashi products. Give him a call on 03 614 8150 or email him here.